Shelving.



B. L. WATERS.

SHELVING.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 27, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Patented 0013. 4, 1910.

B. L. WATERS.

SHBLVING.

APPLIOATION FILED .4.211.27, 1908.

y hwg@ Patented' 0st. 4., 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Jay.

ray )QMQJ BEVERLY L. WATERS, OF AURQBA, ILLINOIS.

ATnNr orricn.

SHELVING.

Specification of letters Patent.

ratentee oet. a, 1ero.

Application led April 27, 1908. Serial No. 429,490.

in sections` and assembled in a space too small to admit of the use of long connecting or tie rods extending over two or morersections; second, to "provide jointed tie rods so constructed that a single joint or section is suiicient for each interior section of the shelving; third, to provide shelving in which the shelves are under compressive and the tie rods under tensional strain; fourth, to provide` a structure in :which the shelves, which are under compression, longitudinally, act as braces and stideners for the entire structure.

v l accomplish these objects by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a general view of shelving embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a bottom view taken on the line 3&3 Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken upon a vertical plane passing through the center of the tie rods at the joining ends thereof. Fig. 5 shows the preferred manner of securing the ends of the rods to the end partition. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tie rod. Fig. 7 isa sectional elevation of a few sections of shelving. Fig. 8 is a pers ective view showin the construction of t e shelf at the end t ereof. Fig. 9 is a longitudinalsectional view of a tie rod in an alternative low.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The structure in general consists of upright partitions 10, tie rods 11 and shelves 12. The drawin s show said partitions stili'- ened by means o upright strips 13.

The tie rods which coperate with the shelves to hold the structure in shape embody one of the elements of the present invention and consist of either solid or hollow rods threaded internall at one end and externally at the other. T e preferred rod form, solid instead of hol-' is hollow, as shown for example in Fig. 6 and consists of metal tubing u set at one end so as to be thick enough to e internally threaded es at 14. rllhe opposite 'end is also upset or forgedso as to produce a portion 15 of reduced diameter which is `externally threaded so as to fitin'the internal threaded portion 14 of the nextgtie rod. As portion 15 is reduced in diameter there is formed a shoulder 16 betweenthe reduced threaded portion and the body' ofthe rod as best shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted` that with this formation 'at the ends of the rods, two

rods when screwed together presenta unin form external surface there being no protuberance or unevenness which might prevent the shelf from setting down fiat along the entire length of the rod.

When the parts are to be screwed up in tightening thev structure anordinary pipe wrench may be employed, although in certain instances l form two flat surfaces 17 upon the rod to receive an ordinary spanner wrench.-

The partitions 10 are apertured to just re- 'ceive the reduced portions 15 of the tie rods and permit said `reduced portions to be freely inserted and withdrawn.

.The shelves 12 consist of sheet metal and have flanges 18 formed at their front and rear edges for stilening the shelf and assisting to prevent frontward or rearward shifting. This will be understood-by reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings. At the ends of the shelf are formed depending flanges 19 which are adapted to bear against., the partitions 10 and thus brace the structure when the tie rods are screwed up tight.

When the structure is to be erected, the partitions are placed upright with the shelves between them and the rods are inserted within the reduced lportion 15 at oneend projecting through the aperture 1n one,

than the distance between shoulder 16 and the far end of the rod, and hencewhen the rods are ltightened up the shelves come to a bearing against the partitions before the rods do; consequently the shelves are under compression while the rods are under tension,

and by screwing the rods -up tightly the bracing action of the iianges 19 becomes very ciective and holds the structure firmly in shape. e A

It is clear from the drawings and above description that the entire structure is comosed, practically speakin of only three inds o e members, to wit, t e partitions, the' shelves and the tie rods. No couplings, nuts or bolts are required, with the exception of the ones at the very ends of the structure. It is also clear that the entire structure is tightened by merely rotating the tie rods themselves; moreover the rods are practically speaking no longer than the shelves, and a large space is not required for assembling as would be the case if a single tie rod ex`- tended through from one end of the shelvil to the other. Hence my shelving is not o y4 simple inl construction and .extremely rigld, but may be readily put up .in vaults, closets or store rooms where the space for assembling is necessaril limited.,

Having thus describ my invention, what I claim as new', and desire to-secureby Letters Patent is: v

1. In shelving, the combination of a set of Aupright partitions, a set of shelves located between each two partitions and tie rods for holding the same to ether, each tie rod having an internally t readed portionj at one end and an externally threaded portion at the other, the externally threaded portion bein of reduced diameter andl formingy a shou der adapted to abut the partition, and

- the partitions being apertured to permit the reduced portion of the rod to project through fromone side to the other, and said rods, measured from one end to the shoulder the tie r at the opposite end/ being less than the length of the shelf.

` 2. In sectional shelving, the combinationl of upright partitions having apertures therein, shelves having flan at the ends adapted 'to bear against .the sides of the partitions and rods for lsupporting the shelves and drawin the partitions tightly against them, said r s having reduced portions at one en v adapted to penetrate the-apertures in'said partitions to reach and screw into the internally threaded end of the next adjacent rod, the reduced 'portion forming a shoulder on the rod land the shelves being longer than s measured from one end to the shoulder at the other end, whereby the tightening of the rods holds the parutions tlght against the ends of the shelves and thereby rigidies the structure. v

3. In sectional sh lving, the combination of shelves having vertical flanges at the ends,

upright partitions having apertures therein,

and tie rods ofuniform cross sectional outline exce t at one end Where each rodV is reduced t ereby forming a shoulder, the reduced portion of. said rod being threaded and the opposite end internally threaded whereby one rod may screw into another on the opposite side of a partition, and the shelves bein lon er than the rods measured frcm one en vtot e shoulder on the opposite en In witness whereof,` I have hereunto subscribed my name in thepresence of two wit- I'IBSSBS.

BEVERLY L. WATERS.

Witnesses Howano M. Cox, i C. J. Cnnisrorrm.. 

